An attempt to force Jeremy Corbyn to commit to a fresh Brexit referendum in all circumstances has failed after a marathon six-hour meeting of the Labour’s ruling executive committee on Friday.
It means the partry is only pledged to support a fresh referendum if it cannot secure “the necessary changes to the government’s deal or a general election”.
Tom Watson, the party’s deputy leader, has led calls for Labour to endorse a public vote on any Brexit deal but stormed out of the meeting after it emerged that the shadow cabinet would not be given a full copy of the draft manifesto commitment on the issue.
The Liberal Democrats, Change UK and the Green Party all described the position as a “fudge”, but some Labour politicians welcomed the fact a possible referendum would now be on the party’s European election manifesto.
Meanwhile, it emerged that Theresa May will abandon talks with Labour to strike a Brexit deal if no agreement can be reached within one week.
If Labour agrees not to block the withdrawal agreement bill, it would then be put to the Commons – but the government will “move in another direction” if no guarantee is given, The Independent was told.
See how the day unfolded below:
Corbyn warned his Brexit 'fudge' is causing Labour party exodus
Labour's ruling body to decide policy on Final Say vote amid deep divisions between senior party figures"If we were proposing, which I very much hope we don't, to sign up to the customs union, then I think there is a risk that you would lose more Conservative MPs than you would gain Labour MPs.
"If, on the other hand, it was something different, then the result could be different as well."
He insisted the talks were progressing, saying:
"I think there is a great sense of urgency and that's why we are having these cross-party talks which have been progressing.
"And the reality of Brexit is that it is the most controversial issue, certainly in my political lifetime, but we have a hung parliament so we cannot get it through without talking to other parties."
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“The work of this commission is hugely important. Implementation of suitable border arrangements for Ireland are vital not only to fulfil the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, but also key to agreeing a successful future UK relationship with the European Union whatever happens in the withdrawal phase and however that future relationship is formulated.The EU have already indicated a desire to get on to discussing alternative arrangements and so we should try to do that.”
“Alternative arrangements were a key part of the Brady Amendment, the only Brexit proposal to have passed the House of Commons. I am looking forward to using my background to work with a wide variety of MPs and experts to help move this work forward and explore in detail how these alternative arrangements can work.”
Ahead of the NEC meeting, TSSA general secretary, Manuel Cortes, called for Labour to support a public vote on any Brexit deal.
He said: “Frankly it’s time for our party to act on the overwhelming wishes of its members and voters by pledging to support a confirmatory public vote on any Brexit deal.
“Our union has a clear policy of giving the British public the final say on any deal agreed by parliament. We will be pushing hard for this to be included in Labour’s European Manifesto.”
Mr Watson said: "We always have lively discussions at the National Executive Committee, but I don't think there will be a row.
"These are very serious matters."
The People’s Vote campaign, which set up the site, says it will increase pressure on Labour to match pledges by other parties to back a new say on EU membership.
The spokesman told reporters at a daily briefing:
"Cabinet received an update on the Brexit talks with the opposition, including the negotiations last night which were serious and constructive.
"Further talks will now be scheduled in order to bring the process toward a conclusion.
"Cabinet also discussed the need to secure safe passage of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill as soon as possible in order to deliver upon the result of the referendum."
